Hello all,
Lurking and learning here for a little while, but thought I’d (35M, UK) post (though not hugely sure to what aim).
I went to A&E a couple of months ago with sharp right-side pain (more out of caution for appendicitis than anything else). A tiny amount of blood was detected in the urine, so had a CT scan (no contrast) of the kidneys to check for a stone. Nothing was found, so the doctor assumed it was passed. All blood tests were normal.
However I’ve had various lingering pains and symptoms since, and while all normal on a second round of liver blood tests, an ultrasound showed mild fatty liver (though this wasn’t exactly defined) and slightly enlarged. Everything else appeared normal. I’d imagine it’s due to alcohol - I’m primarily a social drinker (c.3 times a week, though sometimes it can be heavy for parties, weddings etc) but frankly it all adds up over the years. Never had any issues giving up for periods (Lent, some of the lockdowns, dry Jan, currently etc) but I’m concerned that a rush of symptoms I’ve had in the last couple of months indicate more serious damage.
My hands/ feet look redder, weight lost, right side pains (including neck/shoulder), darker urine (albeit not cola-coloured and no real smell), broken veins on chest that looks like “paper money skin” (though not the classic spider angioma I see in other photos, but still feels worrying ), poor sleep, drop in libido etc. Some of these probably predated recent weeks and I’d just never really noticed them (can’t say I spent much time looking at my hands previously), but it feels like a less than desirable pattern. Some, like pain, are intermittent and I also do appreciate some could be related to the general anxiety that uncertainty brings!
I originally felt reassured by the blood tests and the US result, but the more I read up on it the less convinced I am given that the tests can often be fine despite deeper problems, and the US has fairly limited sensitivity for early changes (though I definitely don’t think I’m decompensated cirrhotic!).
I’ve therefore got a fibroscan on Friday (doing privately for speed), which I’m hoping for the best at, but sort of fearing the worst. Given relative youth (though harder to claim now I’m in my mid-30s, alas) I’d never really given my general health too much thought as I didn’t have any issues that I’d noticed up until the start of July (perhaps barring some increased indigestion, but few people go to the doctor for that). Now I’m starting to feel almost neurotic about it.
I think I’m mainly just unburdening here as I’ve kept it to myself for now (I live alone in London and would rather not worry friends and family until I have a clearer sense of what I’m dealing with). It’s been helpful to read on here of other’s experiences and learn the terminology and processes. There’s no question really here to answer, so no expectation of responses to this rather lengthy post either!
Is it getting better?
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